I say accident but as a definition, we’re talking about an event, or incident that couldn’t reasonably be expected. This could be more accurately described as driver negligence. He was struck by a young woman, driving a Renault Clio, who clearly wasn’t looking for him and his beloved Dawes Galaxy.
According to police, Geoff was lucky to be alive, and I am relieved to hear he is recovering well. However, while this is the crucial element, his beloved Dawes Galaxy’s frameset was beyond economic repair. Damage to the head tube and other misalignment that could result in complete failure and ultimately prove fatal.
On the one hand, bent metal can always be repaired, or in this instance, replaced. However, it serves to illustrate the fierce bond that we form with our machines. He’s using this recovery time to consider his options but is drawn to the Ridgeback range of tourers. I’m similarly drawn to their range of innovative and less traditional mile munchers.
His insurance will bill hers and hopefully, he’ll have a new machine and renewed mojo very shortly. Geoff’s account was terrifying and frankly, left me feeling cold. As for the driver, well she’s compelled to participate in a driving awareness course.
Giving my four-Paneth and allowing for those knee-jerk, emotive flashes, education/correction must be the more positive outcome. Hopefully, this will be resolved in Geoff’s favour very soon.
Yet another illustration of how life can change in an instant, so I’ve never understood why people behave so badly. Drama for me, belongs in stories and films. I have a pronounced aversion to those people who create and moreover, thrive on drama, or indeed otherwise negatively affect my energies, or sense of well-being.
I have switched the fixed gear winter trainer’s Shutter Precision SL9 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) and Ursula’s Shimano Alfine hub dynamo Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) rotors for these Swiss Stop. Weighing 138g apiece, I’m keen to see how well they’ll last, compared with the Shimano, Avid and TRP models I’ve used long-term in the past, not to mention their supposedly superior stopping prowess.
I needed to snug the System Ex Security Skewer SYSTEM EX SECURITY SKEWERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) tighter and tweak the TRP SPYRE SLC caliper very slightly. I was experiencing some minor but extremely annoying rotor rub when climbing out of the saddle. That's the purpose of shakedown rides, afterall. No such issue with Ursula, which I think is attributable to the steel fork blades/ends, although, as with the fixed gear winter trainer, I still needed to slacken and realign the caliper.
I’ve also switched to the Motoverde PTFE chain lube, since the Z1 was looking a little thirsty after several hundred miles on a single helping of The Bike Medicine Purple Extreme | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . This induced a wheel switch and presented opportunity to snug the Halo Fix-G hub’s lock-ring down again. This seems necessary, evert every 300 miles or so, at present.
The Shutter Precision PD8 hub and Halo White Line hoop HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) have been passed to Mick Madgett for lacing and building, since time allowed. We’ve been sent a few books recently, which is nice. I’ve always been a big fan of Sam Tracey’s book “Bicycle! A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto”. PM Press sent us the second edition and Steve was similarly endeared BICYCLE! | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
